Abstract
of Project/Research: Pacific Pyrolysis has a fully
integrated continuous slow pyrolysis pilot plant
at Somersby NSW. This facility has successfully converted a range of
organic feedstocks, including animal manures, crop and foresty
residues, council greenwaste etc, into biochar and green electricity.
The pilot plant is considered a 1/10th commercial scale demonstration
and has allowed Pacific Pyrolysis (previously BEST Energies Australia)
to develop the verified process modelling
and operational experience required to provide technology for this
emerging industry.

Preliminary
Results/Key Findings: Pacific Pyrolysis has utilised
the AgricharTM
biochar product produced from the pilot plant to supply researchers in
Australia, New Zealand and Internationally. The availability of this
material, made from well characterised feedstocks under known process
conditions has enabled rigourous and reproducible research to be
conducted.

The success of the pilot plant has enabled
Pacific Pyrolysis to scale up to commercial scale pyrolysis plants with
confidence. Currently designs for two scales of commercial biochar
production facilities are available. Pacific Pyrolysis is working with
industry partners to implement the technology on a commercial scale.

Biochar for Tasmanian Eucalyptus Forestry Plantations

Name of Biochar Project: Biochar
as a soil amendment and growth stimulus for Eucalyptus forestry
plantations under Tasmanian conditions.Research
Institution Department/Company: University of Tasmania,
School of Engineering, School of Agricultural Science.

Abstract of
Project/Research:The Project is aimed at investigating the
effects of biochar
on the soil changes and plants growth, focusing on forestry species.
The
analysis will be carried on young seedlings of Eucalyptus nitens to
provide
sufficient knowledge of interactions between biochar, fertilizer, soil
condition, yield and establishment conditions of Eucalyptus plantations
for
commercial use.

The two phase approach will cover different growth stages of
Eucalypt 1) From seeds to young seedlings under glasshouse conditions,
2) Early
growth of seedlings under field conditions.

The analysis will include soil chemistry, plants performance,
soil solution changes and plant nutrients uptake under different
fertilizer and
Biochar amendments.

The results of the project are expected to provide knowledge
concerning usefulness of Biochar amendments to commercial forestry
plantations
regarding possibility to decrease fertilizer inputs and lower the
overall costs
of plantation establishment as well as widen general knowledge about
the
agronomic response of forestry species to Biochar amendment.

As biochar may be produced from any biomass waste it is
likely that its production from forestry waste will provide the
industry with
environmentally-friendly solutions to improve the soil quality and
manage waste
in a more sustainable way.

The results of the study are
expected to allow modeling the growth of Eucalyptus under changing
water and
nutrient conditions with biochar application.

Preliminary
Results/Findings: Eucalyptus
nitens agronomic response to different biochar doses under various
fertilization treatments. Recommendations for commercial use of biochar
for
forestry industry.
Biochar: Produced by Rainbow Bee Eater Pty Ltd from
Macadamia shells

Biosolids Reuse Trial for Production of
Biochar and Energy

Name of
Biochar Project:Biosolids
Reuse Trial for Production of Biochar and Energy

Abstract
of Project/Research: The
overall purpose of this study is to test the commercial potential of
producing
biochar using pyrolysis and its potential for use in the agricultural
industry
in Southwest Victoria. The challenge is to convert a waste resource,
namely
biosolids to a stable long-lived biochar which could be used as a soil
amendment to benefit agriculture, forestry and revegetation and to
derive
sufficiently combustible syngas from the process with potential to
produce
renewable energy.Preliminary Results
and FindingsTest
data and calculated results derived from the trials using the 1:2 blend
of sludge to wood chip shows that a single standard RPS model using
thei blend, and operating full time could expect to generate:
- 50kWe/hr or 387 MW for a full year;
- Produce 306 tonnes of biochar;
- Consume 1724 tonnes of fuel with similar charecteristics to the test
sample; and
- 770 tonnes would consist of bio-solids and 954 tonnes of wood chip.

Biochar: Made
fromboisolids
and woody waste sourced from the Hamilton Water Reclamation Plant

Biochar for Orchards Soil Carbon
Management

Name of
Biochar Project:Biochar
for improved
orchard soil carbon management

Abstract
of Project/Research: A pot
trail was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar on the growth
and
nutrition of young apple trees under a range of nutrient and moisture
conditions.Herbiciding
of tree rows to
reduce understory competition with trees is common practice in
conventional
orchards in Australia and New Zealand.This leads to declines in soil organic matter and
soil health.Biochar
may be able to ameliorate these
health declines in a similar way to uncharred organic matter through
improving
soil physical properties and increased nutrient retention.

Abstract
of Project/Research: As part of the National
Apple & Pear Productivity, Irrigation, Pests and Soils (PIPS)
program, a
replicated field trial was established in November 2009 on a new
planting of
Fuji apple trees in a replant site in the Huon Valley, Tasmania to
investigate
the effects of biochar and compost on soil physical and chemical
properties,
soil functioning, tree growth and fruit quality.Biochar, compost and a combination of biochar
plus compost will be compared with an untreated control.Parameters to be studied
over the life of the
project include tree growth measurements, changes in soil physical and
chemical
properties and in soil fauna, and fruit yield and quality.In addition, flux meters
will be installed to
determine soil’s ability to buffer and filter water and nutrients as a
function
of soil carbon.

Abstract
of Project/Research: To evaluate the potential
of biochar to improve the long-term profitability of growing broad-acre
rain
fed crops on low fertility coarse textured soils. Such soils are prone
to
nutrient leaching losses from soil organic matter decomposition and
fertiliser
application. The potential capacity fo biochar and associated soil
biology to
adsorb/immobilise plant nutrients and slowly release them could
minimise
nutrient losses (both leaching and gaseous emissions). In the first
year, the
project will commence with the identification of appropriate feedstocks
and
production methods for biochar generation. A set of biochars will be
produced
and analysed comprehensively for their chemical properties. Based on
these
data, a number of biochars will be selected for detailed field and
laboratory-based experiments to assess the different aspects of the
biochar on crop
nutrition and associated soil properties.

Biochar: Biochars
from wheat, oil
mallee, chicken manure, wood waste, and biowaste, will be
produced via slow pyrolysis at 450 and 550oC.

Abstract
of Project/Research:
This project will draw
together leading researchers in Australia in the areas of biochar,
bioenergy,
soil science, emissions management and life-cycle assessment into a
national
effort, aimed to address key aspects of biochar generation and
application in
Australian agriculture. Research objectives are grouped in three broad
categories which are closely linked with each other and which will
focus on
identical materials and standardised measurements: Biochar-soil
interactions; Biochar
and GHG mitigation; Biochar/bioenergy production and life-cycle
assessment

Biochar: Over
40 feedstocks at
different temperatures will be investigated under
different process regimes; mostly slow pyrolysis.

Abstract
of Project/Research: Seven chars produced from feedstocks
including papermill waste
(1), poultry litter (2) and greenwaste (4)
were incubated with a red ferrosol soil under controlled
climate
conditions. The two litter chars and the papermill char significantly
increased the pH of the soil in the incubation experiment. These same
chars also had the greatest effect in reducing emission of nitrous
oxide from soil. The emissions of nitrous oxide were up to 5 times less
than the control soil. These same chars however slightly increased
emission of carbon dioxide from the soil.
Overall emissions however clearly showed that nitrous oxide was more
significant than emissions of
carbon dioxide, due to the multiplying factor used for nitrous oxide
(310). The greenwaste chars were less effective in reducing nitrous
oxide emission.

All trials were carried out at NSW DPIs
Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute. Experiments and
analyses are carried out under ISO9001:2000 accreditation. Greenhouse
gas analysis was conducted on a dedicated, multi-channel analyser,
capable of simultaneous analysis of nitrous oxide, methane, carbon
dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Biochar: Pacific Pyrolysis AgricharTM
biochars from the slow pyrolysis of Australia papermill wastes,
Council
Greenwaste and poultry litter.

Abstract
of Project/Research: Field trial was established in 2007
in a commercial sugarcane crop in
the Tweed valley, northern NSW. A total of 15 plots (30m plot
length x
3 rows of cane -per plot) were set up using BioPy thermokineticbiometrical design to test
benefits of two biochars on soil properties, crop yield, leaching of
nutrients, nitrogen cycling and emissions of CH4 and N2O. Preliminary
results indicate reduction in emissions of N2O with applications of
10t/ha greenwaste biochar, yield measurements are pending.

Abstract
of Project/Research: This
project assessed the characteristics of biochar derived from papermill
waste, and the agronomic and potential environmental benefits from
applying this biochar to agricultural soils. Biochar was produced using
slow pyrolysis of enhanced solids reduction sludge, clarifier sludge
and waste wood chip from an Australian papermill. The structure of the
biochars was highly heterogeneous with a large degree of macro-porosity
around 1 to 10 microns. The surface area of the feedstock was increased
50-fold through slow pyrolysis. The biochar had liming values of ca.
30% CaCO3, and carbon contents ca. 50% Calcium mineral agglomerates,
detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive
X-ray (EDS), account for the liming effect. Biochar was applied at 10 T
ha-1 to two soil types, an acidic red ferrosol and an alkaline
calcarosol. The impact of biochar with and without a complete
fertiliser was tested in factorial combination. Benefits to soil
properties included increased pH in the ferrosol of up to 2 units,
significantly
increased total soil carbon (between 0.5% and 1%) in both soil types,
increased CEC in the ferrosol, and reduced Al availability (from 2cmol
(+) kg-1 to <0.1 cmol (+) kg-1). The biochars significantly
increased crop growth (measured as height and weight of plants) in the
ferrosol: wheat biomass was up to 2.5 times higher when biochar plus
fertiliser was compared to fertiliser treatment alone. Results suggest
improved fertiliser use efficiency with biochar application, especially
in the ferrosol. Earthworms showed preference for biochar-amended soil
over control soils. This was particularly evident in the ferrosol where
up to 92% of the worms migrated to the biochar-amended soil. The
results from this work demonstrate that biochars derived from papermill
wastes are valuable soil amendments. This work is currently under
review for publication in an international journal. Current work on
papermill biochar is investigating its impact on nutrient cycling in
soil, and testing for its capacity to reduce emissions of the potent
greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from soil.

Abstract
of Project/Research: Conversion
of waste biomass to biochar has been advocated as a method of
sequestering atmospheric CO2 and methane. Vegetation fires also produce
biochar but it is an open question as to how much atmospheric
greenhouse gas (GHG) is sequestered globally by vegetation fires.In
this project I conceptualise the question as an important aspect of the
general CharΧive Challenge, which deals with the scientific and
socioeconomic questions associated with increasing the refractory
biochar pool at the expense of the atmospheric carbon pool given that
the only way into the biochar pool is through thermoconversion of
biomass.

Preliminary
Results/Key Findings:
*
We have reviewed the thermoconversion chemistry of cellulosic biomass
interpretively. Competitive thermal degradation to char and volatiles
is the crucial process that affects the spread of and char production
from open vegetation fires.
* The mechanisms of aromatisation
during char formation have long been an open research problem. We have
deduceded a reasonable, energetically favourable and well-founded
mechanism based on a Diels- Alder condensation between a conjugated
unsaturated aldehyde and a decarbonylated diene species, that also
results in crosslinking of the dehydrated thermolysed cellulose
fragments.
* Biomass fires open a ‘hatch’ that pours carbon into
the long-term global reservoir of refractory black carbon (BC). This is
a sink for atmospheric CO2 if the rate of BC production (or dimension
of the hatch) is greater than the rate of BC decay.
* The hatch
mechanism is the BioPy thermokinetic oscillator, a special case of an
Endex thermoreactive system, which is effectively short-circuited when
wildfires are suppressed.
* The first CharΧive Challenge asks the
question: Can we make enough biochar to stabilise the climate in the
short-term, without adding to environmental problems?
* The second
CharΧive Challenge asks whether we have painted ourselves into a
corner; it asks whether nature’s use of fire to distribute carbon
between long-term black carbon and short-term atmospheric pools is
fundamentally incompatible with humans’ need to suppress fire.
*
The third CharΧive Challenge is the most important. Schemes to
geoengineer the earth such as making and distributing biochar on a
global scale could backfire (as it were) disastrously unless we first
obtain accurate quantitative (how much?) and qualitative (what are the
rate functions and nonlinearities?) research data on the amount of
carbon in the global black carbon reservoir, biochar production rates,
and black carbon oxidation rates in different environments. Then may we
begin to make progress on designing and implementing scientifically
sound, socioeconomically benign global carbon management.

Some of the chemical reactions that a thermolysed cellulose fragment
may undergo en route to char
formation (diagram courtesy of Dr Rowena Ball).
(a)
The hemiacetal and aldehyde groups on a hydrolysed end exist in an
equilibrium that may favour the open-ring aldehyde as heat and acid
catalysis drive dehydrations to a conjugate species.
(b) A
Diels-Alder condensation between a conjugated unsaturated aldehyde and
a decarbonylated diene species is an energetically favourable route to
interchain linking and aromatisation.

Publications,
conference slides/abstracts, media
coverage etc:
News stories on aspects of this research have been published by the
Institute of Physics at
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/futures/34224, and MIT
Technology Review at
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25383/. Publications have
been submitted to refereed journals.

Abstract
of Project/Research: There
is growing interest worldwide in the use of biochar as a soil
amendment. It has the potential to both sequester C and enhance
agricultural productivity. It holds particular significance for its
potential to rehabilitate degraded soils. In work undertaken by NSW
DPI, biochar significantly improved plant growth.

Information
is now becoming available on the distribution and nature of carbon in
farming systems in the Northern Rivers through results from “Soil
carbon assessment and rehabilitation: Landholders develop and implement
new practices” funded under the 2007-08 NLP Community Support round. It
is clear that soils in the Northern Rivers have potential for
increasing stores of carbon in soil. In particular, char (black carbon)
in some soils contributes over 25% of the total carbon stores.

The
fundamental outcome of this project will be to demonstrate and
encourage the uptake of biochar application to sequester carbon in
soil-“where it is needed”- to improve sustainability of agricultural
industries and mitigate climate change.
Objectives

•
To encourage the uptake of technologies that increase and sequester
carbon in soil within the Northern Rivers, in particular through the
promotion of biochar (AgricharTM) and demonstration of practical
methods of application.

•
To train members of Richmond Landcare in methods for collection of soil
samples to quantify soil carbon for establishing baselines needed in
farm-carbon modelling.

•
To continue measuring and accounting for greenhouse gas emissions (CO2,
N2O, CH4) from
farms using the field demonstration sites.

Abstract
of Project/Research: Py-GC-MS
is an analytical technique in which samples are thermally decomposed in
an inert atmosphere, followed by identification and quantification of
the decomposition products. NSW DPIs Wollongbar facilities have the
capability to analyse samples by Thermal Desorption Mass spectroscopy
(TD-MS) with cryofocussing, and flash pyrolysis mass spectroscopy
(Py-MS). These two analyses yield different, yet complimentary
information.
TD-MS is useful for the identification of bio-oils
and more labile components of biochar, which are likely to have
immediate influences on soil health and the carbon sequestration
potential of biochars when added to soils.

Py-MS provides
information on the more recalcitrant forms of carbon in the biochar.
NSW DPI is building a library of archived biochars and similar
products, and using these samples and results from research using these
biochars to develop a predictive tool for the assessment of biochar
quality.

Abstract
of Project/Research: The increased retention of nutrients
in biochar amended soils has previously been recorded, but there has
been little research on the mechanisms behind this. Furthermore, the
reactivity of the biochar surface varies with time and with abiotic
processes such as temperature, affecting its capacity for nutrient
retention. This project will investigate the surface charge density of
biochar, and its interaction with soil nitrogen and soil
micro-organisms in a broadacre dryland cropping context. Changes to
char particle surface activity will be measured over time and under
varying temperatures. The field trial will investigate the interaction
of 6 rates of both green waste and cow manure biochars with nitrogen
applied soils sown to wheat and canola. The increased retention of soil
nutrients such as nitrogen will reduce leaching and could reduce gas
emissions such as nitrous oxide, which will have far reaching
environmental consequences.

Biochar: Pacific Pyrolysis AgricharTM
Biochars.
Feedstocks used were council
greenwaste and feedlot manure.

Abstract
of Project/Research: Project
Rainbow Bee Eater was
initiated by Peter Burgess, Syd Shea and Ian Stanley in 2007 to
investigate the feasibility of manufacturing and utilising biochar in a
number of Australia's wheat production areas, using local crop and
plantation waste from existing cleared farmland as feedstock.

A prefeasibility study was undertaken to study:
i) logistics of biomass collection and biochar delivery based on
regional biochar ‘nodes’
ii) technologies capable of converting crop and plantation waste to
biochar and electricity for sale to the local grid
iii) multi year impacts to a wheat farm of closed loop biomass
collection & biochar return
iv) project economics and risks
v) indirect impacts on the regions involved

Larger scale, practical
demonstration and research have been limited by
non-availability of affordable, large tonnage quantities of biochar of
known quality and origins. The Rainbow Bee Eater team believed that
larger scale, multi year field trials on a dryland farm with larger
quantities of biochar of known quality and origins would contribute to
the overall knowledge base.

Subsequently two biochar experiments comprising 160 plots 20m long and
1.8 m wide were established at Kalannie in 2008 to investigate the
effect of biochar application on growth of dryland (rainfed) wheat. The
experiments were implemented and managed by the Western Australian
Department of Agriculture and Food with assistance from Ian, Clint and
Travis Stanley.

The aims of these experiments are to assess:
1. the value of biochar as a soil amendment;
2. the impact of biochar on the yield and quality of rainfed wheat.

Biochar:
The 2008 experiments used two types of biochar
produced for Project Rainbow Bee Eater by Alterna Energy Pty Ltd,
Johannesburg from South African wheat straw and by Ansac Pty Ltd,
Bunbury, from Western Australian oil mallee residues. Approximately
twenty five tonnes of biochar was manufactured. Future biochar will be
locally manufactured in regional biochar nodes.
Biochar process conditions were a continuous direct heated slow
pyrolysis processes operated around 480C.

The banded biochar experiment best represents the application method
that farmers are likely to use. While there was no response to banded
biochar in the first year of application the experiment will continue
in 2009 and beyond to assess what benefits if any occur in later years.
The site had good soil fertility for dryland wheat production and this
may have limited any response to biochar as a nutrient source.

The incorporated biochar
trial in which higher biochar rates were
applied showed promising results.
Cultivation tended to have a negative effect on crop growth at the half
fertiliser rate and incorporation of biochar in the cultivated soil
improved crop growth and increased both grain and protein yield.

Development of the pyrolysis and dust free biochar incorporation
equipment is continuing as part of
Project Rainbow Bee Eater. Both experiments will be sown to wheat again
in 2009 as we further develop our understanding of the longer term
impacts to a wheat farm of closed loop biomass collection &
biochar return. Evolution of grain yield and protein, weed population,
chemical and fertilizer consumption, soil conditions and carbon
sequestration are all of interest in this multi year study.

The
project was designed to demonstrate the merits of biochar in cereal
growing
areas of Western Victoria. There were three sub-objectives in achieving
this
aim:

i.
To investigate and quantify the biological soil and agricultural
improvent
potential of biochar produced from processed recycled poultry waste.

ii.
To compare the performance of biochar against traditional fertiliser
products.

iii. To demonstrate the benefits of the field
trial
results to utilise waste products as part of a sustainable soil
management
sysem and in building new community, inter-industry and government
agency
collaborative arrangements.Biochar:
Source: Biochar-Energy
Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd.
Feedstock: Poultry Litter
Process: Continuous slow pyrolysis at 550oC

Elmore
Field Days Plot Trial Site
Preliminary
Results/Key Findings:

Project
commenced in April 2009 with the first of 11 sites
planted with wheat and biochar. Trial sites situated fom Midura and
Barham
(NSW) in the north to Ballarat in the south.

At
July 2009 we are very early into the first year. Crops sown in April
are only
at mid tillering stage (5-6 leaf) with the later sown plots at the
pre-tillering stage(2nd leaf).

At
this stage for the biochar replacement of DAP/MAP at sowing trials,
there is no
discernable difference with controls.

For the plot trials with heavier biochar
applications,
visual assessments vary from slightly more vigorous growth with some
plots at
5tonne biochar rates, to some plots showing nitrogen stress at the 1.0
-
2.5tonne biochar rates.